A hair curler can be a clamp tong, a wand with no clamp, a multistyler with swap over barrels or an automatic curler that pulls the hair in for you. We compared eight curlers on Amazon Australia using each listing's own description and its rating count, so every pick below says what the listing says and where it is thin.
The ghd Soft Curl Tong is our top pick, the Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler is the runner up, and the rest cover a low budget, a first curler, automatic styling, cordless use and long hair.
Best curling tong overall: ghd Soft Curl Tong
Best curling tong overall: the ghd Soft Curl Tong, because it has a 32mm large round barrel, the listing names an AU plug, and it holds 4.4 stars from 690 ratings.
The listing describes a large 32mm barrel and an ergonomic lever for big, bouncy curls and soft, voluminous waves, for longer hair lengths and all hair types. It says full bodied curls take 5 to 8 seconds, that Ultra zone technology holds 185°C, and that curls last up to 24 hours. The title includes (AU Plug), the product is listed at 363 g, and it holds 4.4 stars from 690 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants soft, loose curls on longer or thicker hair and is happy to wrap each section by hand. The honest catch: it is the dearest curler here and a single barrel tong, so it takes more skill than an automatic curler.
Best multistyler: Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler
Best multistyler: the Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler, because it comes with three interchangeable ceramic barrels and holds 4.5 stars from 301 ratings.
The listing describes three interchangeable tourmaline ceramic barrels: a 19mm small tong with a clip for tight, textured curls, a 13 to 25mm clipless conical wand for beach waves, and a 32mm wide tong with a clip for voluminous loose curls. Heat has 3 settings from 160°C to 220°C, and the listing mentions tourmaline ionic technology. The rating is 4.5 stars from 301 ratings, the highest of the picks with a solid count.
It suits anyone who wants tight curls one day and loose waves the next without buying three tools. The honest catch: two barrels have clips and one is a clipless wand, and swapping barrels by hand makes it slower than an automatic curler.
Best budget curling iron: Remington Pro Curls
Best budget curling iron: the Remington Pro Curls CI1019AU, because it has a 19mm ceramic barrel for tight curls and holds 4.4 stars from 202 ratings.
The listing describes a ceramic coated 19mm barrel for tight, defined curls, a brush sleeve attachment that slips over the barrel for smooth curls and volume, and a heat up of 30 seconds. It adds an automatic shut off after 60 minutes. It holds 4.4 stars from 202 ratings.
It suits a first tool on a small budget, or tight curls and ringlets. The honest catch: a 19mm barrel gives tight curls, not loose waves, so choose a larger barrel if you want a soft wave.
Best 25mm ceramic curler: VS Sassoon Ceramic Hair Curler
Best 25mm ceramic curler: the VS Sassoon Ceramic Hair Curler, because it has a 25mm medium barrel, 10 adjustable heat settings and a fast heat up.
The listing describes up to 180°C variable heat across 10 adjustable settings, a smooth glide ceramic barrel, a 25mm medium barrel for classic curls and billowing waves, and a fast heat up. An auto shut off is listed too. It holds 4.4 stars from 40 ratings.
It suits an everyday curl and wave from a simple clamp tong. The honest catch: only 40 ratings so far, and the listing tops out at 180°C, lower than several other picks here.
Best automatic curler by ratings: PARWIN PRO BEAUTY Automatic Curler
Best automatic curler by ratings: the PARWIN PRO BEAUTY Automatic Curling Iron, because the barrel rotates both ways at the press of a button and the listing gives 10 temperature levels from 120 to 210°C.
The listing describes a 25mm rotating barrel that wraps the hair for you in either direction, 3 rotation modes, a titanium nano coating, an LCD display and heat up in 30 seconds. It lists a 60 minute auto shut off, a 360° swivel cable and an anti scalding tip, and says the motor makes a noise when working normally. It has 772 ratings, the most of any pick here, at 4.1 stars.
It suits anyone who struggles to wrap hair around a wand. The honest catch: it is the lowest rated mains powered pick here at 4.1 stars, and the listing states 110 to 240V without naming an Australian plug.
Best automatic curler from a hair brand: Mermade Hair Spin
Best automatic curler from a hair brand: the Mermade Hair Spin Automatic Curler, because its 25mm barrel rotates 360° at the touch of a button and curls hair in seconds.
The listing describes automatic curling action, a 25mm barrel for medium sized waves and curls, and ionic ceramic that seals the hair cuticle. It says it is made for people who struggle with traditional curling wands. This pink version holds 4.4 stars from 12 ratings.
It suits someone who wants an automatic curl from a hair tool brand. The honest catch: only 12 ratings, so 4.4 stars is a very thin count and the PARWIN has far more ratings.
Best cordless automatic curler: Lenoxx Cordless Automatic Curler
Best cordless automatic curler: the Lenoxx Cordless Automatic Hair Curler, because it is USB rechargeable with an auto rotating ceramic barrel, 6 temperature and timer settings and an LCD display.
The listing describes a cordless curler with a 19mm ceramic coated curling chamber, a 150°C to 200°C temperature range, an 8 to 18 second timer and spinning left or right for inward or outward curls. It lists a four hour total charge time and a 50 minute run time, with one lithium ion battery included. It holds 3.7 stars from 79 ratings.
It suits travel and anyone who does not want a cord. The honest catch: only 79 ratings at 3.7 stars, a thin and lukewarm count.
Best for long hair: GLAMUP Beauty Extra Long Curling Tongs
Best for long hair: the GLAMUP Beauty Extra Long Curling Tongs, because the 152mm barrel is the longest on this page and the listing names an AU plug with a 360° swivel cord.
The listing describes a 152mm barrel on which long hair wraps 3 to 3.5 full turns without overlapping, with a 32mm barrel, a silk protein, glycerin and keratin infused ceramic, and a longer lever. There are 5 temperature settings from 140°C to 220°C on an LCD display, a body of 285 g, and dual voltage (100V to 240V, AU plug). A 30 minute automatic power protection switch and a 2 year warranty are listed. It holds 4.5 stars from 54 ratings.
It suits long hair that needs a longer barrel to wrap in one pass. The honest catch: only 54 ratings so far, so the 4.5 stars is a thin count.
How to choose a hair curler
Tong, wand, multistyler or automatic
A clamp tong holds the end of the hair and you roll it up by hand, the ghd and GLAMUP style. A wand has no clamp, and our curling wand guide compares those. A multistyler such as the Remington swaps barrels. An automatic curler, the PARWIN, Mermade and Lenoxx here, pulls the hair in for you, which helps if you find wrapping awkward.
Barrel size sets the curl
The listings agree on this one. The 19mm barrels (Remington Pro Curls, the Multistyler small tong and the Lenoxx chamber) are described for tight curls. The 25mm barrels are for medium waves and curls, and the 32mm barrels (ghd and GLAMUP) are for loose, voluminous curls. Choose the size of curl you want first.
Heat settings
The listings give very different heat ranges: one fixed 185°C on the ghd, 160°C to 220°C in 3 steps on the Multistyler, 120°C to 210°C in 10 levels on the PARWIN and 140°C to 220°C in 5 on the GLAMUP. Only the GLAMUP listing pairs temperatures with hair types, from fine hair at the bottom to coarse at the top. If you want a choice of settings, avoid a single temperature tool.
Mains, cordless and the plug
The ghd and GLAMUP listings name an AU plug. The PARWIN states 110 to 240V dual voltage without naming a plug, and the Remington, VS Sassoon and Mermade listings do not give plug details in their text. The Lenoxx is USB rechargeable, so it needs a charger and a charge before use.
Hair length and barrel length
Longer hair needs more turns around the barrel. The GLAMUP barrel is 152mm and the listing says long hair wraps 3 to 3.5 turns. A shorter barrel means more overlapping on very long hair, which is why we gave long hair its own pick.
Rating counts matter
The ghd (690 ratings), PARWIN (772), Remington Multistyler (301) and Remington Pro Curls (202) have solid counts. The VS Sassoon (40), GLAMUP (54) and Mermade (12) have thin ones, so treat their scores as early signs. If you are comparing against a straightener, see our hair straightener guide, or try hair rollers if you want curls without a hot tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hair curler in Australia?
For most people it is the ghd Soft Curl Tong: a 32mm large round barrel, an AU plug named in the listing, and 4.4 stars from 690 ratings. If you want three curl sizes from one tool, the Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler holds 4.5 stars from 301 ratings.
What is the best automatic hair curler in Australia?
The PARWIN PRO BEAUTY has the most ratings of the automatic curlers here, 772 at 4.1 stars, with a barrel that rotates both ways and 10 temperature levels. The Mermade Hair Spin holds 4.4 stars but from only 12 ratings, so check that thin count before you buy.
What is the best cordless hair curler in Australia?
The Lenoxx Cordless Automatic Hair Curler is the only cordless pick on this page. The listing describes USB charging, a four hour total charge time and a 50 minute run time. It holds 3.7 stars from 79 ratings, a lukewarm score, so read the catch first.
What is the best cheap hair curler?
The Remington Pro Curls is our budget pick: a 19mm ceramic barrel for tight curls, a brush sleeve attachment and 4.4 stars from 202 ratings. The VS Sassoon Ceramic Hair Curler is a 25mm option for looser curls, rated 4.4 from only 40 ratings so far.
What is the best hair curler for long hair?
The GLAMUP Beauty Extra Long Curling Tongs have a 152mm barrel, the longest on this page, and the listing says long hair wraps 3 to 3.5 turns. The ghd Soft Curl Tong is the better rated choice, as its listing calls the 32mm barrel right for longer lengths.
What is the best hair curler for short hair?
None of the listings names short hair, so we do not rank for it. A smaller barrel gives tighter curls, and the Remington Pro Curls has a 19mm barrel for tight, defined curls. The Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler also includes a 19mm tong for tight, textured curls.
What is the best hair curler for fine or thick hair?
The GLAMUP listing pairs 140°C with fragile and fine hair and 200°C with thick and wavy hair across its 5 settings. The ghd Soft Curl Tong listing says it suits all hair types and textures at one temperature, 185°C, which suits people who do not want to choose.
What is the best brand of hair curler?
On this page ghd leads on rating with 4.4 stars from 690 ratings, and Remington has two picks, the Multistyler at 4.5 from 301 ratings and the Pro Curls at 4.4 from 202. Mermade, VS Sassoon, Lenoxx and GLAMUP each have one pick, with thinner rating counts.
Is there a good 2 in 1 hair straightener and curler?
We have not picked a 2 in 1 here. The Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler is the closest, with three interchangeable barrels from a 19mm tong to a 32mm tong and a conical wand, but it is a curler only. Our hair straightener guide covers straighteners.
